Daddy Is Our Superhero!

Daddy---just so you know...you are our superhero!

Mommy wants to begin the post by thanking daddy for taking such good care of her on Sunday---when she confided to the couch, probably the sickest I have been in years! I am feeling better, but still not up to par.

I mentioned in the previous post we thought Harrison might be getting sick as well...and if yesterday wasn't confirmation enough--today definitely was. Right now I am listening to Harrison sleep next to me in the bassinet sounding like a Pug Dog. He is very congested, has a terrible cough (that seems to get worse by the hour) and is spitting up after every feeding on top of A LOT OF CRYING (which we have never seen him do). It's been a rough couple of days to say the least. This is why I titled this post Daddy Is Our Superhero as he took care of Harrison all yesterday when he & I were both sick. Daddy...What would we do without you?

The good in all of this? Harrison doesn't have a fever, which is a HUGE relief for us...

We are doing everything we can possibly do on our own:

-Saline Drops for his nose
-Baby Vicks Vapor Rub
-Elevation of bed
-Humidifier
-Check temp. every 2 hours
-Johnson & Johnson vapor bath


Mommy will be staying home with Harrison tomorrow and we will be calling Dr. Gerhard in the morning. At this point in time...I don't know if there is a lot more than can be done. The most important thing is to keep a fever at bay (which we have done thus far). Our biggest hope is that these next few days fly by so we can get our Harrison back!

It's sad to see that little face without a smile.

Mr. Harrison, get better fast... Mommy & Daddy have already road a rough road with you!

6 new posts in the last 24 hours...Why not one more?

Oh baby Harrison... Mommy and daddy don't know quite what to do. We are wishing you would have came with an instruction manual with a table of contents.

You wouldn't be able to tell from the giggles and the photos in previous posts that Harrison has been having a couple rough days. Don't worry....nothing to serious I presume at this time.

Digestion is the biggest issues right now. Harrison had been downing 5, 5 ounce bottles a day regularly (no problems) until last Saturday. Since then it's been every challenging to get him to eat regularly and to eat without spitting up these past few days. I am not talking about a little spit up...but a full fledged barf. Harrison is also doing a lot of reflux gestures. To top it off he isn't moving his bowels well AGAIN which is also contributing to reflux like behavior.

All of this is making him VERY needy! We can get him to smile and laugh, but the second that attention is taken away--he protests by crying and a lot of it...Something we are not used to him doing. Last week at daycare he ran a low grade temp. of 100.2. This didn't concern me because a true temp. is anything 101 or greater. But now tonight...he seemed stuffed up and was again having crying (did I say crying? I meant screaming) fits we aren't used to seeing. Something is definitely out of the ordinary!

Harrison is also very preoccupied with shoving his whole fist in his mouth causing himself to gag and puke several times a day. (I read online from other mom's who claim this to be a problem as well and it's something he will out grow) It's a full time job trying to keep his hands out of his mouth!

Hopefully this is just a fluke! Mommy is exhausted!

If not a fluke...it will be a phone call to Dr. Gerhard on Tuesday (why do these things always happen on long weekends)?

Fun in the Sun!

A video explosion? Yes, you are correct! But this is actually just a slide show of all the photos taken today (it was just too hard to pick only a few to post--so you have got em' all!) So if you haven't already watched the video---you can tell Harrison did quite well on his first of many boat ride & sand bar trips.

The boat ride was really short. Not because Harrison wasn't enjoying it...but rather the boat had some issues of it's own and we wanted to play it safe and stay with in close proximity of the boat landing... This made me a little sad, I really look forward to long relaxing boat rides. Hopefully it's a quick, inexpensive fix... or we win the powerball and just buy a new boat---whatever comes first.

The water was freezing cold, I am not going to lie about that...but it became more tolerable as the day went on...(the cold beverages may have helped). Speaking of cold beverages, I have a few too many today. I tried cat napping it off with little success... In fact my last words were, "I am never going to drink this much again." (Until next time, right?). But, back to the water being cold... Harrison shrieked the first dip in, but then took it in strides after that. So really, yes, we did put our child in the Mississippi River... As dirty and as disgusting as it sounds...we both grew up on the river (lake) and this is something we look forward to Harrison carrying on to his children one day---the love for water.

Other than that---the photos captured a sunny, 90 degree-- 2010 Memorial Weekend!

Giggles by Harrison

Mommy found the magic giggle button! These giggles are to die for! Harrison is adorable...as for me, that is another story...(but I just had to share!)

Cuddling in bed with mommy!

This is what happens in the morning if the camera is within reach from the bed!



And the writing on the feet is SUPPOSED to be WASHABLE... Crayola Markers, you can't stand behind your label---Harrison's feet are still black as well as faintly written, "Our Love." The writing is no where perfect either...it's incredibly hard to write on baby's feet.

6 Month Photo Shoot!

Here are a few photos to commemorate 6 months...certainly there will be many, MANY more!







Isn't he just adorable? And I get to spend everyday with him and his many expressions!

Taking a dip!

We finally broke the plastic off the swimming pool! Harrison didn't know quite to think...his many expressions tell you so!

6 Month Video and Updates!

Enjoy the video below... This recaps the last wonderful 6 months!


Harrison is growing and changing so much everyday...we can hardly keep up with him!

Here are some of the latest stats on our guy---

Weight/Height: Likely 16 lbs and 24 1/2 inches long. He is currently wearing 3 month (3-6 month) size clothing (some 0-3 month jammies yet).

Eats: Every 4-5 hours, 4-5 ounces

Favorite things:
-Burp Cloth (we have to pry it out of his hands)
-Shoving his whole fist in his mouth (gagging himself regularly)
-Standing up
-Being talked & sang too
-LOVES BATHS (we do a majority of baths in the big tub as Harrison loves to kick and splash---he has been getting frustrated in the little tub!)

New accomplishments:
-Belly laughing
-Batting at his toys
-Becoming ticklish
-Very vocal
-Sits up straight his his bumbo chair
-Pulling himself up on his elbows to look around
-Eating apple sauce and rice cereal (Mom and dad are officially breaking the rules... It wasn't recommended for Harrison to start on foods until 6 months corrected age (9 months of age). However... Everything I read coincided with Harrison's cues that he was ready for spoon feeding. And...to top this off, he is doing absolutely terrific with it!---but I haven't decided to inform the physicians of this or continue to go with the flow. Tonight I bought bananas and squash).


Harrison also started at a new daycare this past Monday. He now attends our church's childcare center. Everyone there is so nice and Harrison is getting plenty of attention as the ratio is 3:1. Things are going very well, we couldn't be happier!

In other news...

The weekend is forecasted to be beautiful. We took the boat out of storage tonight in preparation for taking Harrison for his first boat ride on Saturday. (I am filled with excitement to break out his life jacket). We also bought a baby pool this past weekend that Harrison still needs to try out...he just loves water!


Check back for photo updates!

Brother like sister?

Baby Harrison



Whitney Dog





What lives babies and animals live. This was the topic of on evening walk tonight. Then together Doug and I rattled off a list of things that Harrison and Whitney Dog have in common.

Here is a short list that we compiled during our stroll.


They both give wet slobbery kisses.
They both eat and sleep whenever and where-ever they want.
They both drool in excitement.
They both love to go for car rides and long walks.
They both make messes that mommy & daddy pick up.
They both don't care how poor of singers we are...just as long as they are getting attention.
They both relieve themselves whenever, where-ever necessary.
They both act in excitement as though it's Christmas morning every morning when I roll out of bed.
They both let us know they need to be fed.
They both are incredibly cute despite the what smells & messes they make.
They both are good cuddlers.
They both love to be talked to.
They both play with toys that squeak.
They both have us trained well.
They both squeal in delight.
They both like to track squirrels and birds.
They both are loved.

I know I could add at least another dozen similarities.

Funny...how conversations begin.

This is all to true!

Memories made...

This is something I have wanted to do since Harrison was born...and Mother's Day was the perfect excuse to ask for this... It's just taken us three weeks to find a perfect day to put it all together.

See the progress and finished product below...







I am happy with how it turned out!

A much needed family weekend away!

Doug and I decided it was time for weekend get-a-way...even if it was only to the Twin Cities! We spent Friday shopping, eating out, swimming and just plain relaxing. Saturday we met up with Grandpa and Grandpa McKee and Great Grandma Otto and walked the Como Zoos Conservatory. Later mom and dad took Harrison to his first trip to see the Zoo animals and rode the Carousal. Harrison did fantastic! We have some pictures to prove it! (I just wished we would have gotten more--next time)!



Harrison wasn't sure if he liked/disliked the pool...he just took the whole experience in without a peep!







Photos with Grandma & Grandpa McKee and Great Grandma Otto!





Zoo Photos!






Riding the Carousal!





We definately had a busy weekend--completed by some much needed yard work! We also got to making my Mother's Day present... Photos of that to come!


We are off to the lake now for a little fun in the sun! And maybe another photo or two. :)

Gassy Days...

Do you see this adorable little guy?



He had quite the terrible day! Daddy got a call from daycare about 2 PM today asking what more she could do with Harrison because he had been uncomfortable and fussy all day (not his typical happy baby self). We don't know Harrison to have any crying fits unless it pertains to his to his tummy.

Daddy placed a call into his doctor and spoke with his nurse. The nurse said that Harrison's upset tummy is most likely being caused by his new medication. She suggested we give his medication in the morning so that the medication doesn't sit in his system all night. With him being more active during the day should help move the medication better through his system. If that doesn't seem to help we will reduce the amount of medication to see if we see any improvement.

So far tonight he has seemed pretty much like himself. Hopefully tomorrow isn't a repeat of today.

Ticklish & Belly Laughing!

This beautiful baby boy had mommy in all tears tonight! Don't worry---they were happy tears!

Daddy discovered Harrison is tickilish! And that was confirmed by hearing him belly laugh for the first time tonight. I just had to sit back and let the tears flow! It's truely the simple (little) things in life that are the best! This just made my day, night, and week!

We love you Harrison!

Growing like a weed!

Harrison got to meet a couple of our friends (Kyle & Kristi) for the first time yesterday. As we were giving them the Harrison room/territory tour... I opened the Harrison memorabilia tote...and pulled out a preemie sleeper (actually it's the only preemie clothing item I saved because we don't plan on having another premature baby) It's so tiny! I can't believe he ever fit in this! (And it was on him)!

Changes, changes, changes...

I wish I could put it in to words just how much it means for me to be a mom...but you other mommys out there know exactly what I am talking about.

Everyday it seems Harrison is learning something new or doing something different. It's like a full time schedule trying to keep this all straight!

Today Harrison had his 5 Month (actually 5 1/2 month) check-up. He weighed in at 15 lbs 3 oz and measured just under 24 inches long. According to his appointment last week---he actually shrunk at his regular appointment today. He measured 24 1/4 inches on the 6th of May. For weight he is in the 10-25 percentile. This is good, actually great! I spoke to his regular physician today about Harrison's intake and what the dietitian had suggested at the appointment last week. The doctor has no concerns with Harrison's intake, weight or height. At this point in time Harrison in gaining nearly and ounce a day, 26 grams to be exact. The doctor said he would like to see Harrison gain anywhere from 15-25 grams per day...so at 26, he is doing more than what is actually expected. His doctor said that the dietitian is going by specific numbers for intake rather than looking at Harrison's current growth curve. Harrison is definitely on an upward climb and it appears that he is going to continue to climb in that upward position. In time...Harrison's weight will level out some...but putting him back on his 24 calorie diet would be a mistake according to the regular physician...Yes, adding in those calories would help him gain weight more rapidly and most likely hinder his ability to roll over, etc. So all in all, we are going to disregard last weeks appointment with the NICU follow up team.

Apparently our doctor told us...it us the NICU team's job to find something wrong in their follow up---which they did, and I mentioned bits and pieces of it in an earlier post. The findings of the NICU follow up---nutrition factor, head shape, and shoulder strength---all of these our doctor assured us is very normal and are not of great concern.

More good news at today's appointment---no shots! Well until next month anyways...

At next month's appointment he will receive several vaccinations...and the his doctor said we would discuss fewer needed appointments for Harrison. The doctor said that Harrison is surpassing this hurdle in life...he had a rough start in life...but it's only going to get better from here out.

So...now lets talk drool. Yes, lots and lots of drool. The doctor says we shouldn't be surprised if Harrison sprouts a tooth in few days to week. Though---some babies drool like crazy for months until their little teeth bust through...time will tell if Harrison is one of those babies.

And...speaking of changes. I took a walk down memory lane today when I visited another preemie baby. WOW...it's amazing to see how much can change in such a short period of time! I am still not over the fact that Harrison was that small! And...yes, yes, I got to hold the baby (Baby Kael) and what a good feeling. He and his mom road the same rocky road we road on...and is embracing life like never before. Thank God for miracles.

So before I lose you completely in this wordy entry---

Final thought...


When Harrison was in the NICU I remember wanting him to grow so much and now it's sad to see him growing up so fast. I am trying to suck in every baby moment that I can...

Yippie! The return of Spring!

Talk about Spring Fever! With rain, wind and cold over the past week---we almost forgot we had neighbors...Everyone in our neighborhood (including us) seemed to be out enjoying this much needed warm-up.


Thank goodness for the return of the sun!

I need more practice!

There are so many changes everyday (from drooling, grabbing, talking, etc.). Lately we have been working hard on helping Harrison develop his shoulder muscles and strengthening his body core to support his weight for sitting.

Here is how it went tonight... Certainly a work in progress!




BUT....

Look how well he can stand! I'd say this is impressive especially for a baby the turned 3 months old (corrected age) just two days ago.



Skipping sitting, crawling and going straight to standing!



(And...no, no one is supporting him...he is resting his hands on the laundry basket!)

I am pretty sure he will learn to walk before he learns to sit! :)